The annual Monocacy Creek clean-up took place on April 12, and was sponsored by the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association and Synchronicity Recovery Foundation.

Additional support was provided by Aardvark Sports Shop, the Lehigh University swim team, Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary, Monocacy Trout Unlimited, City of Bethlehem Environmental Advisory Council, Guardian Insurance, and Allentown Central Catholic, Freedom and Liberty High Schools according to Trout Unlimited president Erik Broesicke, who said over fifty volunteers showed up to help over the three hours the clean-up took place.

Volunteers worked from from the upper reaches of Monocacy Park south to Union Boulevard said Broesicke.

Trash bags filled with litter and debris piled up adjacent to the parking lot across from Illick’s Mill with some debris left at collection points where city crews would later collect it.

A rusted 55 gallon drum was the largest piece found while Liberty HS freshman Serenity Szmidt says she found a history book, pencil and a candle in the stream section within the park.

“Having high school students come to earn community service credits is wonderful,” said Monocacy Creel Watershed association secretary Jane Cook.

Lehigh freshman Will Moon, one of a large contingent from the University’s swim team, said, “we like to give back through community service.”